Focus on Youth
News for OCES staff working with youth.
4-H is a community of young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills.
November/December, 2007
Dear 4-H Educators, Members, Volunteers and Parents,
Recently
I had the privilege of attending National 4-H Congress with a delegation
of 20 youth from Oklahoma. They joined nearly 1000 other delegates
for a great time of learning, culture, giving and serving – plus
lots of fun. For over 80 years National Congress has
been the premiere 4-H capstone event for our youth. There
was a time when only state record book winners had a chance to
attend Congress, but this is no longer the case. Currently the
4-H Foundation pays a portion of each delegate’s trip to
Congress and would like to see the number of participants increase. Of
course the delegates still have to pay part of the expenses, but
in many cases local donors off-set the cost to the
youth. If you have not had youth applying from your county,
please encourage some of your older members to apply to attend. You
can learn more about Congress by visiting this website: http://www.national4-hcongress.com/
This is a photograph of the youth at the Congress Gala. The person
without the traditional white Oklahoma Congress scarf is Oklahoma’s
own Miss America, Lauren Nelson, who the delegates had a chance
to meet during their trip.
I hope that you have a wonderful holiday season. On behalf of the entire
4-H faculty and staff, thanks for all you do in “making the best better!”
Sincerely,
Charles Cox
Assistant Director, 4-H Youth Development
4-H Stories
The wonderful stories shared by National 4-H Hall of Fame laureates at their induction became the inspiration for this project. The stories were inspirational, funny and too valuable to be lost.
NAE4-HA's PR and Information Committee is collecting stories for a book from the entire 4-H family, including members, volunteers, agents/educators, state staff, donors, family members and others. The stories included in the book will be selected by the editorial team. Stories not chosen will be saved for future use, possible to included in several books.
Here’s what we’re looking for:
- Stories from all 50 states sharing positive personal experiences on the value of 4-H, activities/events, learning experiences, funny situations, etc.
- Stories about 4-H folks who have inspired, motivated and made a difference in the lives of others.
- Stories should include information about the setting/situation and approximate time frame and must include your name, address and contact information.
- Up to three double spaced pages in a Word document using a 12 point Times New Roman font and one inch margins.
Send your story as an email attachment to: dtabler@umd.edu. To learn more about 4-H Stories and how to submit your story, go to: www.maryland4h.org/Stories
4-H Dime Drop for Humanity – SW and NW take us a step closer toward our GOAL!
Southwest District raised $519.96 and Northwest District raised $117 at their District Leadership Conferences with a carnival where dimes were collected for Habitat for Humanity. This equates to 176 of the target goal of 15,000 4-H members raising and/or saving $3.60 each toward the completion of the state goal.
During the month of November and December a state officer will be asking to attend a program which involves attendance by club leaders and teen leaders (e.g., county Council, Parent-Volunteer Association, council meeting, banquet, etc.). Please assist them in scheduling a successful visit. The team has a 30 minute program which will include activities which can be taken back to the local club to encourage participation in both the "Dime Drop" and "Each One Reach One."
As a reminder, the team has a simple plan that will involve half the youth in our traditional club enrollment - approximately 15,000 of our 31,000 member - supporting this effort by saving 36 dimes, or $3.60. This simple effort will complete the initial goal of $54,000! This would be a wonderful accomplishment and a substantial gift as we begin our 4-H Centennial Celebration in 2008.
Jerret Sanders, state 4-H president
Kansas City 4-H Global Conference
Registration forms and information for the Kansas City conference can be found on the 4-H website at
http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/events/kansascity.htm
This years’ conference will be held March 12-15, 2008, at the Kansas City Airport Hilton, Kansas City, Missouri. Registration forms and payment will be due to the state 4-H office prior to December 7, 2007. If you have questions, please contact Tracy or Judy in the State 4-H office.
Application for Trip Chaperones
Attached is the form to be completed by educators and/or volunteers who are interested in chaperoning an upcoming 4-H out-of-state trip. All applications must be sent through both the county and the district offices. The applications are due to district offices by December 14, 2007.
Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF)
Information regarding the upcoming CWF trip can be found on the 4-H website at
http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/events/cwf.htm
This year’s conference will be June 12 - 22, 2008. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the State 4-H Office.
CWF Program Assistants
As our plans for this summer’s Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) program are underway; National Council are as well. A major factor to the success of the program is the Program Assistant (PA) staff. National 4-H Council is looking for bright college-age students to facilitate the program. If you know someone who would be an excellent PA, please let them know that applications are due by January 27, 2008. The application form and additional information can be found at http://www.4hcwf.org/programassistant.aspx
4-H Life Skills Model - Definitions
The following website is a good resource for downloading definitions of each of the life skills contained on the 4-H Targeting Life Skills Model. I suggest printing and inserting this information in to Unit 2 Volunteer Core Competencies as a reference for the section titled “Life Skills Development through the 4-H Project.” The definitions will help you as an educator to explain and understand what should be occurring as a result of the development of any one life skill.
Volunteer Core Competencies – Unit 1 – New 2-Year Cycle Begins
Oklahoma will be cycling back to and focusing on the use and evaluation of Unit 1, “This is 4-H,” in the Oklahoma 4-H Volunteer Core Competencies.
Please keep in mind all materials contained within Units 1-3 are to be blended with subject matter determined by the needs and interest of county 4-H parents and volunteers. The VMS notebook, page 82, contains a sample survey for soliciting volunteer input on training needs.
Healthy attendance and an enthusiasm for parent-volunteer continuing education will hinge on providing our volunteers with subject matter/project information “they” identify as a need or interest. Core materials are then blended in with that presentation of “subject matter.” Think of it like adding the essential vitamins and minerals to a tasty dessert. We can’t wait for dessert, yet benefit from the added vitamins and minerals.
During January a Unit 1 update will be held via Centra for staff who would like or need a quick refresher.
4-H Horse Volunteer-Leader Conference
On Saturday, January 19, 2008, 9 am to 4 pm on the OSU Campus, Stillwater, a volunteer continuing education opportunity will be conducted for certified 4-H volunteers, parents, support or resource persons working with youth in the 4-H Horse project area.
The conference will focus on improving participants' abilities to teach and develop youth through project work, as well as providing specific knowledge matter related to horses.
The $10 pre-enrollment fee must be received by noon, January 14th. For more information see attached flyer.
Club Management System – Notebook Updated 2007
All Club Management Systems notebooks dated on the front cover with anything prior to September, 2007, need to be replaced with a copy of the updated version posted online. This is the second significant revision since some staff received the initial copy in 2004.
Please be sure the new material is kept in the notebook labeled “Oklahoma 4-H VMS, CMS, and Risk Management.” Each of these manuals is intended to be quickly accessable for reference in matters of 4-H club management, volunteer management, and risk management As of the fall of 2007 the notebook now contains Century III, a leadership model for Oklahoma 4-H.
The update materials can be downloaded at http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/edu/cms.htm.
Aeronautics Competitions for High School and College Students
The Fundamental Aeronautics Program of the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters announces a new aeronautics competition for high school and college students for the 2007-2008 academic year.
High school students are challenged to write a research paper to explain ideas for a future aircraft that could become the "DC-3" for cargo and passengers in the year 2058. Descriptions should be well-informed and include sections on fuel, environmental effects, noise levels, runway length and condition, operating costs, passenger and cargo loads, and service operations. Notice of intent for high school entries is due Dec. 15, 2007.
College students are invited to design the next generation, 21st-century, "DC-3"-type aircraft. Some of the design considerations include reduced environmental impact, reduced noise, daily operations on short runways, cost analysis for production and operation, passenger and cargo limits, structure and materials, and engines. Students should also briefly describe three valid scenarios for potential use of this vehicle in the year 2058. Notice of intent for collegeentries is due on Jan. 19, 2008.
Any U.S. student enrolled in an accredited high school, secondary school, or home school in the United States or its territories is eligible to enter the competition for cash prizes. Non-U.S. citizens and students in international locations can enter as well, but they are not eligible for cash prizes. Trophies and certificates will be awarded to each winner, regardless of citizenship.
For complete details, visit: http://aero.larc.nasa.gov/competitions.htm
21st Century Explorer Podcast Competition
What do you think is NASA's greatest exploration achievement in the past 50 years, and why? That is the question NASA is asking students for the Second Annual 21st Century Explorer Podcast Competition. Students will create an audio recording or video -- running one minute or less -- with their answer to the question.
The contest is open to U.S. citizens, ages 11 to 18. Entries will be judged on content, creativity, execution, clarity and overall impression. The 15 finalists in each format (audio and video) and each age category (ages 11-14 and ages 15-18) will be displayed on the contest Web site, where the public will vote for and select a "People's Choice" winner. Prizes will also be awarded for first, second and third place. Winners will be announced on the Web site Feb. 28, 2008.
Entries are being accepted now through Jan. 4, 2008, or when the first 1,000 entries in each category are received.
For more information, including tips for creating audio and video podcasts, visit: http://www.explorationpodcast.com/
State 4-H Roundup Video and Commercial Production Contest
Sponsored by Collegiate 4-H
Entries Due: July 1, 2008
Where: State 4-H Office
What: Contestants are to develop a video using their choice of music and video production techniques, including, but not limited to, video footage, still photography, computer animation or a combination of techniques. Commercial must be 30 seconds in length. Videos must be 3 to 5 minutes in length. Entries will be judged on creativity, flow of video, topic and presentation. The top 5 commercials and top 2 videos will be shown at State 4-H Roundup. For complete contest guidelines, applications and support resources go to: http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/video_contest.htm
Alea Sharp and Jeff Sallee
2008 Oklahoma Envirothon Competition
The Oklahoma Envirothon is part of a national program for high school students designed to educate and challenge young people in the environmental sciences. It is an exciting, fun way for students to learn about the environment and the issues facing this and future generations. Combining in-class curriculum with hands-on field experiences, Envirothon demonstrates the role people have in important environmental issues such as forestry, wildlife management, aquatic ecology, and soils and land use. See attached flyer for detail.
2008 National 4-H Camping Institute March 27-31
The National 4-H Camping Institute will be held March 27-31 at the W.E. Skelton 4-H Educational Conference Center in Virginia. For more information, go to this website.
4-H Omniplex Camp February 1-2, 2008
4-H members, volunteers and families from across the state will have the opportunity to learn about science by camping in at the Oklahoma City Omniplex February 1-2, 2008. 4-H members can explore the spectacular science exhibits, see stunning scientific demonstrations, travel to the planets and beyond in planetarium shows, and sleep in unimaginable places, like under a dinosaur, in a giant mouth or next to a tornado.
The camp in is open to all ages. Bring your 4-H group or 4-H families. The choice is yours. This change is due to requests made by older 4-H members with an interest in science. We are still waiting on the Omniplex to give us a selection of themes for this year’s camp in. I will send it out as soon as we receive the information. The cost of the camp is $30.00 for youth of any age and $15 for adults.